ferrell



(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 1. 2

I'. J. FERRBLL.

VALVE.

No. 468,242. Patented Feb. 2, 1892.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 2. P. J. FERRELL. VALVE.

No. 468,242. Patented Peb. 2, 1892.

Il. Il It l..\ y A lll/111111111 MKM E W :EW

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 3. F. J. PBRRELL.

VALVE. v

No. 468,242. Patented Peb. 2, l1892..

`(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

F. J. FBRRBLL. VALVE.

No. 468,242. Patentd Peb. 2, 1892.

MQ. M

(No Model.) ssheets-sheet 5.

F. J. FERRELL.

VALVE.

No. 468,242. Patented Feb. 2, 1892.

VALVE.

No. 468.242. Patented Feb. 2, 1892.

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. noauto@ JMJ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. FERRELL, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

VALVE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 468,242, dated February 2, 1892.

Application filed ilctobci' 5. 1891. Serial No. 407,685, (No model.)

.To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. FERRELL, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valves, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof. IThis invention relates to valves for checking and controlling the passage of fluids, and has for its object to improve the construction of such valves and the construction and means of attachment of indicating devices for the same and to provide such valves with an improved and effective locking or sealing device for holding the valve in desired position, but which sealing device may be readily severed or disconnected, when necessary, to permit operation of the valve.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a valve provided with my improvements. Fig. l is a detached view of the knife-edged lug of the sealing device. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the valve shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 shows a detached horizontal section of the same on the line 3, Fig. 2. Fig. et is a horizontal section of the same, taken on the line i el, Fig. 1, looking upward. Figs. 5 and G are elevations showing modifications in the construction of the locking or sealing device. Fig. 7 is an elevation showing another modification in the construction of the locking or sealing device, and Fig. 8 is a horizontal section of Fig. 7 on the line S S thereof.

In all the drawings the valves are of the gate-valve pattern. The casings are composed of two pieces bolted together-a main part d, containing the valve or gate c, the

ports, and fluid-passages, and a bonnet b, supporting and guiding the operating-stem d of the valve. The lower portion of the valveoperating stem d is screw-threaded and works within a counterpart thread formed in the gate or valve a. The middle portion of the valveoperating stein d is litted to rotate only within a stufiing-box of usual construction, or may be otherwise held so as to produce awater or steam tight joint. A portion d of the valvestem d, which extends outside of the stuffingbox, is formed of square cross-section, so that the indicating and sealing and locking devices may be readily connected with the valvestem to rotate therewith or to prevent rotation thereof. At the eXtreme outer or upper end of the valve-stem d is secured thereon an operating hand-wheel e.

In Figs. l and 2 I have shown a five-way construction of valves. 'lhree pipes a', ai, and ai are tapped into the valve-casing d at some place beyond the inlet-port of the valve. As shown in Fig. 2, the inlet-opening is at the back of the valve. The three pipes c', ai, and a3, together with the outlet-opening at the front of the valve, make four outlets, all of which are opened to the inlet by opening thc valve, and the valve has five ways in all, one inlet and four outlets.

My improved indicating device, as illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 3, and a, is of the same general construction as that embodied in my former application filed December i), 1890, under Serial No. 374,014, comprising a diskf upon the valve-stein, said disk having a tooth g projecting therefrom, a rotatable indicating-plate 7L, provided with the usual indicating-marks upon its upper surface and provided on its lower surface with grooves i, meshing with the tooth g on the valve-stem d, and the concave faces j, engaging with the disk f on the valve-stein d, to hold the indicatingplate from rotation when the tooth g and a groove 'i are not in engagement, and the [ixed pointer or index 7e above the indicating-plate h, the position of the indicating-plate in relation to the fixed index showing the position or amount of opening of the valve. The parts of the indicating device, as above described, are set forth and claimed in my above-inentioned application and not claimed herein. My present improvements relate to the construction of the grooves and concave faces and adjacent parts. In the practical use of my indicating-valves it often happens that they remain inactive for long periods of time and become coated with dust and dirt; and the classes of valves of which this is most usually true-such as fire-hydrant valvesm are required in cases of emergency, as when a lire is imminent or progressing, and it therefore is very essential that the construction of IDO the valve will permit it to be at once operwith dust so that they will not engage with their counterparts-the tooth g and disk fthen the operation of the valve will be seriously affected. To prevent any possibilityT of the clogging ot' these parts, Iform them upon an annular ring Z, projecting downward from the indicating-plate z, and cut-away portions of this annular ring at the middle portions of such concave faces and at the grooves L', so as to form openings extending radially through such annular ring and so as to leave in their full dimensionsthe end portions of each concave facej and the projecting points on each side of each groove 'L'. In the operation of the valve any clinging dust or dirt will be quickly Y pushed off from these full portions and pushed through the openings or otherwise removed, so as not to clog or impede the meshing of the parts of the indicating device and the opening or closing of the valve.

The disk f is mounted upon the squared portion d of the valve-stem Land is held in place by a pin or otherwise. The indicatingplate h is shaped so that the valve-stem may be taken out without removing the indicating-plate. This is provided by continuing upward through the plate h the contour of the last concave facej that meshes with the disk f in the closed vposition of the valve, so that when the valve is in closed position the Valve-stem d may be readily lifted out of its bearings in the valve.

The indicating-plate h is rotatively mounted upon a rod m, and the fixed index if; is secured to or formed at the upper end of said rod and forms a head to hold the indicatingplate in place. Then my entire invention 1s employed, two of these rods m are provided, the one shown at the right in Figs. 2 and 4 supporting the indicating-disk and the one at the left in said figures supporting an arm of the locking and sealing device. These rods m are held in the bonnet b, a projecting boss b being formed on the bonnet for each rod m, extending upward a sufficient distance to provide a support for the devices mounted upon such rods m. These rods extend downward to the bottom of such bonnet, and each is provided at its lower end with a nut m', fitting in a recess or socket at the lower face of such bonnet so that its outer face is iiush with or is depressed within the lower face of such bonnet, and the nut is thus countersunk within the bonnet. One of these nuts m is shown in Fig. 3, such figure aording an underneath view of a portion of the lower face of the bonnet. The nuts m are shaped so that they will not rotate when Within the bonnet, and this is preferably accomplished by wings or projections on the sides of the nuts, as shown in Fig. 3. In assembling the various parts the rods m areinserted through the parts shown at their uppeil ends, then through the holes in the bonnet. The nuts m having been placed in their sockets in the bonnet, the rods m are screwed down into them. Then the rods are in desired position, small screw pins m2 are tapped and screwed into the rods and nuts, so as to ef- 4fectually prevent further rotation of the rods m. One of these screws m2 is shown in Fig. The assemblage of parts is completed by bolting together the bonnet b and main part aof the casing. The nuts m and screws m2 are thus effectually concealed and protected and the rods m and their attached parts held in place and accidental dislodgement thereof absolutely prevented.

The upper end of the rod m (shown at the left of Fig. 2) is provided with a head, and between this head and the boss b is held the arm n, which forms a part of the locking and sealing device. The arm n is curved upward and at its end is formed avertically-arranged perforated staple. Another arm ois mounted upon the valve-stein ci, preferably projecting from and forming part of the boss of the disk f, and this arm o is also curved upward and has formed at its end a vertically-arranged perforated staple. The arm ois so constructed that its end will come against the end of the arm n, and the staples on the arms n and o will fit alongside of each other when the valve is in a predetermined position, as in the half-open position shown in Figs. l and 2. The valve may be held in such position by means of an ordinary lock alone, as shown in Fig. 6, or by my improved severable sealing device alone, as shown in Fig. 5, or by both the lock and the sealing device, as shown in Fig. l.

In my improved sealing device a tape p, or a cord or other strong but severable connecting-piece, passes through the eyes of the staples at the ends of the arms n and o and passes over a knife-edged lug q, (shown detached and in side elevation in Fig. 1%) secured to or cast upon the casing of the valve, and its ends are brought together and sealed in a suitable manner, so that the ends cannot be separated without breaking the seal. The knife-edge of the lug q is closed, so that the tape cannot be removed therefrom by cutting the tape or breaking the seal. This knifeedge is not sufficiently sharp to cut the tape under ordinary conditions; but in cases of emergency a heavy intentional strain will cause it to cut the tape and thus release the valve, and the valve may then be readily operated, the arm 'n readily turning on the rod m, so as to permit the arm o and valve-stem b to be rotated. Then the tape has been thus severed, it is of course impossible to reunite it so as to conceal the break, and theinspector is thus provided with a certain means of knowledge of any operation of the valve.

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If a lock is also attached, as in Figs. l and 4,

it is of course necessary toremove the lock before operating the valve. The lock will In Figs. l and l the knife-lug q is formed upon one of the bolts that hold the bonnet b and main part a of the casing together, and this is the preferred construction; but it may be formed directly upon the bonnet l), as shown in Fig. G, (lettered QQ) or formed upon or secured to any convenient part of the casing.

It is often desirable to construct the valve so that it may be locked or sealed in two positions, as in open and closed positions, or even in three or more positions. This is provided by increasing the number of arms o on the valve-stem. In Fig. G two such arms are shown, one being employed in locking or sealing 'the valve in tightly-closed position (in which position the valve is shown looked in Fig. G) and the other being employed to lock or seal the valve in wide-open position.

The weight of my improved valve may be reduced and the construction to some extent simplified by mounting the arm n upon the same rod in that holds the indicating-plate 71, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, thereby requiring but one rod m for both indicating` and locking and sealing devices. For some purposes this construction will be best adapted, while for other purposes the construction shown in the main views of the drawingsthat is to say, with two rods m, one for the locking or sealing and the other for the indicating device-will be employed, as in the latter construction there is no obstruction above the indicating-disk 7L, and the indication may be read at a glance when t-he valve is sealed or locked and sealed.

In the modification of the locking and sealing device illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 two arms r r are fitted one above the other on the right-hand rod m and are bent so as to fit side by side and to surround and hold the squared portion d of the valve-stein CZ and to iit one on each side of the left-hand rod m, the upper portion of such left-hand rod 'in being iiattened to form a staple and having a pin r2, passing therethrough and through the ends of the arms r r. A lock is secured at the end of such pin fr?. A sealing-tape p passes through slots in the arms rr and over a knife-lug (j. The arms i' i" are thus locked and scaled and firmly hold the valve in desired position and prevent its being moved therefrom without unlocking the lock andv breaking the seal.

Ilaving now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination, with a valve, its operating-stem, and its oasin g, such casin g havin g two parts-a main part containing the valves, ports, and huid-passages and a bonnet supporting and guiding the operating-stem-of a boss projecting from said bonnet and integral therewith, a rod passing through and project ing out of said bonnet and boss thereon and held at its inner end by a nut countersunk within the bonnet at the juncture of such bonnet and the main part of said casing, and a rota-table device fitted upon Ithe outer end of such rod and connected with the operatingstem of the valve, substantially as set forth.

i. The combination, with a valve, its operating-stem, and its casing, such casing having two parts-a main part containing the valves, ports, and fluid-passages and a bonnet supporting and guiding the operating-steniof a boss projecting from said bonnet and integral therewith, a rod passing through and projecting out of said bonnet and boss thereon, a nut on the inner end of said rod, countersunk within the bonnet at the juncture of said bonnet and the main portion of the casing, a pin passing through the nut and rod to hold the rod from rotation, a fixed index formed upon the outer end of said rod, and an indicatingdisk rotatively mounted upon the outer end of said rod and meshing with the operatingstem of the valve, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a valve, its operating-stem, and its easing, such casing having two parts-a main part containing the valves, ports, and Huid-passages and a bonnet supY porting and guiding the operating-stem-of a boss projecting from said bonnet andintegral therewith, a rod passing through and proj eeting out of said bonnet and boss thereon and held at its inner end by a nut countersunk within the bonnet at the juncture of such bonnet and the main part of said casing, a fixed index formed upon the outer end of said rod and an indicating-disk rotatively mounted upon the outer end of said rod, another boss projecting from such bonnet and integral therewith, a rod passing through said boss and projecting out of said boss and held at its inner end by a nut countersunk within the bonnet at the juncture of such bonnet and the main part of the casing, an arm on theA outer end of such rod, an arm secured to and projecting from the valve-operating stem and adapted to meet said arm on the casing at a predetermined position of the valve, and a device for holding together the arms of the casing and of the valve-stem, substantially as set forth.

4C. The combination, with a valve and its casing, of the valve-operating stem having a portion thereof projecting outside of the oasing of square cross'seetion, a locking-arm, an operating-wheel, and an indicating device mounted upon snch squared portion of the valve-operating stem, substantially as set forth.

The combination, with a valve, its casing, and operating stem, of an arm mounted upon the casing, another arm attached to the valve-stem and arranged to meet the arm on the casin g when the valve is in predetermined position, a projecting lug upon the valve-casing, having a knife-edge, and a severablehold-` ing device passing over such knife-edge and around the arms of the stein and casing to seal the valve in desired position, substann tially as set forth.

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G. The combination, with a valve, its casing,

and a rotary valve-operating stem, of a diskV plate,vgearing grooves, and concave faces' formed along the outer periphery of such aunular rim, said grooves meshing With the tooth on the valve-stein and said concave faces engaging with the disk on the vaivestem, and said annular rim having; grooves formed therein extending inward from said gearing-grooves andV from the centers of said concave faces, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with a valve, its operating-stem, and its casing, such casin g havin g two parts-the main part ce and the bon net b of the boss b upon said bonnet h, the rod m, passing through the said bonnet and boss, the nut m on the inner end of said rod m and countersunk Within the bonnet b at the juncture of said bonnet and the main part a of the casing, the screw-pin m2, heid between the nut m andnod m, and rotatable devices mou nted upon the outer end of therod m, substantially as shown and described.

S. The combination, with a valve, its operating-stem, and its casing, such casing having,r two parts-the main part a and the bonnet- 1)- of the two bosses 7J D upon said bonnet b, the two rods 171, 717 passing through the bonnet, one of said rods m projecting out of each boss bv', the nuts m', one on each rod m, each nut m being,` countersunk Within the bonnet ZJ at the juncture of said bonnet b and the main part a of the casing, and the screw-pins m2, one heid between each rod m and its nut m', and an indicating-disk rota-tively mounted upon the outer end of one of said rods m and meshing with the valve-stem and an arm rotatively mounted upon the outer end of the other of said rods m and arranged to t against an arm on the valve-stem, and devices for holding together said arms on the rod m and on the Valve-stem, substantially as shown and described.

FRAN K J. FERRELL.

Witnesses:

THOMAS FOLEY, HENRY D. WILLIAMS. 

